Bayahibe Vs Punta Cana – Each Within the Dominican Republic However Oh So Totally different

Bayahibe was a largely undiscovered gem on the south coast of the Dominican Republic till the late 1990’s. Just a few unbiased vacationers knew about it earlier than then however the extra resort oriented traveler had by no means ever heard of it. Bayahibe is turning into more and more extra touristy however there may be nonetheless a putting distinction between Bayahibe and the much more standard Punta Cana resort megaplex on the east coast.

Bayahibe additionally has a very totally different ambiance than the favored vacationer locations of Puerto Plata, Sosua, and different vacationer locations on the north coast. Nonetheless, on this article, I’ll focus on a few of the variations between Bayahibe and Punta Cana.

Bayahibe Has a Actual Sense of Neighborhood Not like Punta Cana

Based within the late 1800’s, Bayahibe has an extended historical past of being a working fishing village. As such, it has a powerful sense of neighborhood that isn’t based mostly solely on tourism {dollars} such as you discover in Punta Cana. The truth is, Punta Cana’s historical past is comparatively short-lived and is nearly solely based mostly on tourism. Its complete growth and growth has been pushed by tourism earnings.

In comparison with Punta Cana, Bayahibe is extra unpretentious and laid again. In Bayahibe, it’s simple to mingle with actual Dominicans and luxuriate in some genuine Dominican Republic tradition. Dominicans are very pleasant and big-hearted individuals and they’ll gladly discuss with you. The truth is, don’t be in any respect shocked if in addition they need you to bounce the merengue with them! If you wish to meet some actual Dominicans in Bayahibe, simply hit the seaside bars, the open-air eating places, the very talked-about billiards corridor, and store in the area people. You could find no related genuine expertise within the Punta Cana resort villages even if you happen to attempt.

Bayahibe Has Fewer Resorts and Extra Non-Inclusive Lodges and Cabanas

The Punta Cana coast has change into one all-inclusive resort after one other with only a few choices for the unbiased traveler. Bayahibe, alternatively, has just one all-inclusive resort often known as the Goals La Romana Resort. This a 568 room resort that sits proper on top-of-the-line parts of Playa Bayahibe (Bayahibe Seaside). In any other case, all of the lodging in Bayahibe is small unbiased inns, mattress and breakfast locations, and cabanas. Lodge Bayahibe is the most important of the independents and it has solely 25 rooms. Once more, you get a extra genuine expertise staying in Bayahibe as in comparison with Punta Cana. Only for clarification, I ought to point out there are 6 full scale resorts in 2-3 miles away from Bayahibe in Dominicas to southeast which is usually thought-about a part of the Bayahibe area.

Cabanas are cute stand alone “huts” or small cabins, historically constructed with a thatched roof though they don’t all have these now. They’re scattered all through Bayahibe, together with some proper on the seaside. You used to have the ability to lease them at a steal however the worth has actually gone lately as extra vacationers have are available and as extra of them are getting used as housing for workers of the resorts which might be creeping nearer — the cabanas are nonetheless a great deal although if yow will discover one! After all, they’re additionally a very totally different expertise than a Punta Cana resort.

Caribbean Sea vs The Atlantic Ocean

When many individuals consider “The Caribbean” they consider your complete area lies inside the quiet and calm Caribbean Sea. Nonetheless, this isn’t in any respect true. The Dominican Republic, like the opposite giant Caribbean Islands, lies on the border of the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. Its north and east coastlines face the Atlantic Ocean and its south shoreline faces the Caribbean Sea. Now, right here’s an important distinction to the vacationer: the waters of the Atlantic Ocean are far more rugged and wild than the peaceable and calm Caribbean waters.

Bayahibe is positioned on the south coast of the Dominican Republic. Subsequently, the waters adjoining to its shores are calm and tranquil. The sand can also be extremely superb and silky. However, the Punta Cana coast (which incorporates Bavaro) is positioned on the east coast of the Dominican Republic. This locations it on the Atlantic Ocean the place the waters are extra turbulent and the sand is a bit coarser. As you head south on the Punta Cana coast, you start to enter the transition zone between the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea and sea turns into a bit extra light and the sand turns into finer. Nonetheless, the ocean even on the south finish of the Punta Cana coast continues to be not as tranquil as the ocean adjoining to Bayahibe.

Sunsets Over West Dealing with Bays Vs East Dealing with Water

Due to the curvature of the land within the area, Bayahibe is positioned on two bays that look westward. The truth is, this is likely one of the few areas in your complete Dominican Republic to face west. Subsequently, the sunsets listed here are thought-about essentially the most spectacular within the nation with the solar sinking straight into the ocean. You may get pleasure from this water view of the solar setting from any variety of open-air eating places and bars — or from the general public seaside.

Punta Cana is positioned on the east coast of the Dominican Republic and subsequently it not ideally suited to watching sunsets over the water, though the sunrises will be spectacular in Punta Cana.

Climate & Microclimate

Bayahibe is taken into account by many to have one of the best microclimate of any location within the Dominican Republic. Whereas Punta Cana actually has much less rain than Samana Bay and different wet north coast Dominican areas, Bayahibe has far much less rain than Punta Cana! The truth is, Bayahibe additionally has much less rain than La Romana, the favored resort space solely about 19 miles to the east. It’s stated that Bayahibe has about the identical quantity of rainfall throughout its “wet season” because the north coast of the Dominican Republic has in its “dry season.”

Bayahibe can also be hotter on common than most different vacationer locations within the nation. That is notably true within the winter when each the ambient temperature and the water temperature is hotter than in Punta Cana and vacationer locations on the Dominican north coast.

Distance To Saona Island, Catalinita Island, and the East Nationwide Park

The preferred day journey within the Dominican Republic by far is a ship tour to Saona Island (Isla Saona). The truth is, greater than 2000 individuals go to this island on common per day! Saona Island is a part of the East Nationwide Park (Parque Nacional del Este) positioned on the acute southeast nook of the Dominican Republic. Virtually all Saona Island boat excursions go away from the Bayahibe Harbor. Which means vacationers in Punta Cana must first take a bus or taxi experience into Bayahibe earlier than they will get on a ship in Bayahibe to Saona Island. This could take 1-2 hours one-way, 2-4 hours round-trip. Subsequently, it’s far more handy and enjoyable to take an tour to Saona Island if you’re already staying in Bayahibe!